Freeform reveal day.....

I must confess although I have dabbled in free form I am in no means very good at it, I think I have had accidental successes. Always up for a challenge though, I thought why not. Red and Valentines day....what could be better or more appropriate.
I went through all my beads and pulled out all the reds...seed beads in 15s, 11s and 8s, small round glass beads, glass hearts, daggers (I decided against those) and crystals. It seemed so well...red...I needed to add something to give it some pop! I was going to use white but then purple just jumped in.
I sat down at my beading table and well .....nothing....yikes! Finally I just let go of any fear and started. All was going well and I had made some progress when to my dismay the crystals cut my thread and all my hard work came undone. I wanted to just walk away and forget it, but a challenge is challenge and it must be met. I diligently went back at it; added beads and stitched again and the end result was Joy!
Note to self -do not use those kind of crystals again!
Both my daughters love the necklace so I guess it was a success.

Joy

Taj

I have been working on this piece for sometime and today is the day, the day I think it is finally done and I can show it off. I really wanted to do a big artsy piece and although I had a lot of missteps and redo's, I am pleased with the results. I wore it to work the other day and not one person, not one single person commented....needless to say I was crushed. That night I went to bead night at our local beading store (my favorite one - Crimpz); running a little late most of the members were there already....when I walked in there was a collective gasp...and my ego was instantly restored....oh thank you all my beading friends, you made me feel so good!!! Hope you enjoy.

Taj

Yeah the party invite is out and I have signed in (I sure hope my sign in worked) for Bead Soup Blog Party Number 8. I am so excited....each year I get to add another dear friend to my list.  Last year my partner was Amy Severino and the soup she sent me took me to the winner's circle (3 times over), I think Amy was as proud as I was and deservedly so. The year before my wonderful friend Ginger showed me Japan and I continue to live vicariously through her, collecting awesome beach glass at equally awesome beaches. See why I am so excited!!!! Lori our brave hostess is really pushing her limits and I hope she knows we are all in her corner and wish her a speedy recovery. Thank you Lori, this is the event I wait for all year!!!!

I love my blog

I routinely woke up this morning prepared to pull the usual Sunday morning lazies. Part of my routine is to check my blog - catch up on those I am following, check my Facebook - make a few comments and then check my email. I have a cup of hot coffee and settle in to relax and read. When I got to the email part of my morning...there was an email from a long lost friend. She had read my blog (hence I love my blog) and thought it was me and connected. Wow! I have responded and hopefully it is the beginning of a renewed old friendship.
I have been busy working on a statement piece, but it won't be ready to post for awhile. Each step has to be contemplated, deeply contemplated and and has to be just right in my mind before I can move on.  Lets just say I have taken out almost as much as I have done ...oh the anticipation.While contemplating a particular part I took a side venture and made the following piece. I purchased the pattern "Morning Glory" from Ellad2.  I thought it would work up to be a bit smaller but it is quite substantial making it in my mind  a better brooch than a pendant. It was fun to do and the tutorial was easy to follow....now back to my big project. But wait I signed up for the Freeform Red challenge reveal date February 15...I had better get busy!

Morning Glory from Ellad2

A Time to Stitch 4 Reveal date is here

Therese Frank and Christine Altimeter are hosting another "Time to Stitch, Number 4" and only now have I  jumped on the band wagon (I missed 1-3). Generally I don’t follow a pattern or for that matter any particular stitch but every once in a while it is nice to perfect the basics. 

First up - Net Stitch -I have always liked the look of the net stitch, so light and lacy.  A net stitch collar is a simple yet stunning piece that adds elegance to any outfit. I have made several net stitch collars all quite unique. 

Next is the Spiral Stitch

Oh the spiral stitch, I just love the fluid movement ….and now that I have discovered Dutch Spiral…well I just couldn’t stop, I even got my sister making one. The spiral rope is so versatile and because of its versatility I often use it to finish a piece with great results. 

....and more spiral

Chevron

I haven’t used the chevron stitch much but now that I have given it a try I can see there will be ways to incorporate this stitch into other projects.

Last but not least the Chenile stitch which makes a nice rope, very flexible and sturdy.  I can see this being used in a lariat with great success!

This was such a fun challenge and I must say I learned a lot on the journey.  Thanks Therese and Christine for hosting and letting me join the party.

Hosted by Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller

1. Amy Severino

2. Janet Bocciardi

3. Cynthia Machata

4. Alicia Marinache

5. Paula Kramer

6. Kim Hora

7. Dee Alcalde

8. Dagi (Kokopelli)

9 Maryanne Gross

10. LizE

11. Sally Russick

12. Becky Pancake

13. Jasvanti Patel

14. Karin Slaton

15. Alenka

16. Sarah Sequins

17. Tanya Goodwin

18. Debbie Rasmussen

19. Shirley Moore

20. Crystie Willard

21.  Nelly May
22.  Ana Cravidao

musing...

Although I still feel in the holiday mode life has returned to normal. The weather here is so unpredictable, one day raining and warm and the next day in a deep freeze. I have come to the conclusion the one thing I really hate about winter is icy sidewalks. I have a bad habit of falling down in normal conditions but this icy stuff is just to much....so I am staying in a lot. Not bad though gives me the time to play with my lens baby.....

Birthday Rose using Lens Baby Lens

....and of course beading. For some unknown reason I felt the need to do some peyote cuffs and I just can't stop. Is it me or is there an African flare to these?

Bright bangles

 

So so much fun...I think I need to make some more!

My how time flies...

It's been a while since I last posted, life just got in the way....well not in the way life just needed to be lived. And now it's 2014.Wow! I have made lots of resolutions and so far have been keeping them, but hey it's early. One thing for sure in 2014 I am going do a lot more stepping out of my comfort zone. I have recognized that I love bead embroidery (it's my passion) but that is not to say that every once in a while I feel the need to follow a pattern or do a standard stitch technique.  I am so excited for upcoming bead challenges, and can't wait to dig in. 

Mr. Seagull .... say what!

Christmas was wonderful, spent with my favorite people in the world...my husband, my daughters and my son in law. On Boxing Day we left for Vancouver to spend New Years eve with my brother and my husbands sister and brother in law. What a wonderful relief from the snow. I took lots of photos, ate way too much and did some serious, I mean serious shopping!

A stroll through Central Park (note there is no snow)

 Today happens to be my birthday but my brother and sister in law surprised me early with the most deletable birthday cake ever..a St. Honore cake...the most delicious cake ever. I was truly spoiled....did I mention my husband brought me a cashmere and fur cape!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me, yum yum

 I have been doing lots of beading and can't wait to reveal on January 15 - A Time to Stitch, but until then I made this as a gift for my sister (pattern from Bead and Button) - I made it in her favorite colors and hope it makes her day.

For Lindy

Come back to see my A Time To Stitch Reveal on January 15

...dreaming...

Winter has taken a strong hold here and so far it been cold with an abundance of snow. I don't mind the winter but I just wish it was of shorter duration .  I have a really bad habit of falling down, usually for no reason other than tripping on air but winter does present challenges...I slipped on a icy spot and landed smack on my knee...ouch!!!

It doesn't feel like that long ago, as a matter of fact it was just two months ago that we were enjoying the summer sun and a wonderful time in Southern BC touring the wine country.

Grapes on the vine

 "Off the Vine" is my tribute to the wonderful vineyards we visited.  A random assortment of pearls, crystals, drops and seed beads put together and hung from a viking knit rope.